Crown Casino shuts down every second pokie machine and allows just five people on a blackjack table in response to the coronavirus outbreak

  • Crown Casino Melbourne has implemented social distancing on its gaming floor 
  • Every second pokie machine and electric table game would be deactivated 
  • Only five players would be allowed at stand-up table games such as blackjack
  • These social-distancing measures were implemented on Monday at the casino
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

By Claudia Poposki For Daily Mail Australia and Australian Associated Press

Published: 04:03 GMT, 16 March 2020 | Updated: 04:03 GMT, 16 March 2020

Melbourne’s Crown Casino has implemented social distancing on its gaming floor and banned gatherings of more than 450 people to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Every second pokie machine and electric table game will be deactivated so there will be distanced seating between players and no standing players, Crown said in a statement on Monday.

The number of players at stand-up table games will be restricted to a maximum of five players 

The number of people using the venue’s dining and conference facilities will be capped at 450 people, 50 less than prescribed by the federal government. 

Melbourne's Crown Casino has implemented social distancing on its gaming floor and banned gatherings of more than 450 people, to prevent the spread of coronavirus (stock)

Melbourne’s Crown Casino has implemented social distancing on its gaming floor and banned gatherings of more than 450 people, to prevent the spread of coronavirus (stock)

These measures come into effect on Monday, the same day they were announced. 

The social distancing policy being applied at Crown was approved by Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton.  

Crown Melbourne and Crown Perth complexes have also given out hand sanitiser and increased the frequency of their cleaning. 

‘Crown will continue to closely monitor the pandemic and follow guidelines from relevant health authorities,’ they said in a statement.   

Non-essential mass gatherings of more than 500 people such as cultural and sporting events and conferences have been banned in Victoria after a state of emergency was declared.

Only five players would be allowed at stand-up table games such as blackjack or poker (stock)

Only five players would be allowed at stand-up table games such as blackjack or poker (stock)

Only five players would be allowed at stand-up table games such as blackjack or poker (stock)

From midday on Monday, for at least four weeks, authorised officers can detain people, restrict movement and prevent entry to premises to protect the public.

‘It is an offence under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act to not comply with the orders that have been made,’ Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters on Monday. 

The state of emergency will also aim to enforce the national 14-day isolation sanction declared for all travellers coming into Australia.

‘Those orders in the first instance relate to that mandatory – not optional in any way – mandatory home quarantine or at a hotel if you are not a resident,’ Mr Andrews said.

The self-isolation order to all travellers was announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday.

The Crown's social distancing policy was announced the same day the federal government's ban on events with 500 people or more came into play (stock)

The Crown's social distancing policy was announced the same day the federal government's ban on events with 500 people or more came into play (stock)

The Crown’s social distancing policy was announced the same day the federal government’s ban on events with 500 people or more came into play (stock)

 

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